Record Number of Lawsuits Against Debt Collectors
Fed-up consumers are fighting back against overly aggressive debt collectors, slapping collection agencies and creditors with a record 7,923 lawsuits from January 1 through August 15, 2011, according to a report in Collections & Credit Risk. By comparison, in the same period from a year ago, consumers filed only 7,169 such lawsuits. That means lawsuits […]
Do You Have Too Much Debt, Women and Investing, Smart Money Tips
Here is a recap of the hottest articles on AskTheMoneyCoach.com. Smart Money Strategies for Every Month of the Year There’s no better time than the present to kick your finances into high gear. But why limit yourself to just making a single financial New Year’s resolution in January when you can plan a series of […]
5 Tips For Staying On Top Of Your Finances
Here are 5 tips to help you stay on top of your finances and finish this year on top of your game. Tip #1. Check your credit report YouInsurance. com This easy-to-use site lets people search, free of charge, for all of their insurance needs and get the cheapest quotes available for life insurance, disability […]
A Quick Guide to Student Loans
Taking out a student loan may be the only way to make college affordable. But it’s a good idea to learn about the different types of student loans available and what your repayment options will be after you graduate. Making some informed decisions about your finances before the school year begins can help put you […]
Minimum Payments Now Really Equal Maximum Payments, in the Long-Run
Paying so-called minimum payments now actually ends up costing you more – a lot more – over the long haul. The math behind some of the calculations that determine your interest rate can be tricky. And I won’t get into all the complex, and sometimes mind-boggling formulas that are used to calculate your Annual Percentage […]
I Already Paid My Student Loan But Records Show I Still Owe It – What Do I Do?
Student loan payments may be among your biggest expenses and you are probably looking forward to the day when you make that final payment. If you have reached that stage and paid your entire balance in full, you may still end up receiving a payment notification letter in the mail or find that you have […]
Should I Pay Off My Credit Card Before The Due Date?
Q: Should I pay off my credit card in full before the due date to improve my credit score? A: The answer to that question is, yes, it is better to pay off your credit cards before the statement cycle ends, because you are absolutely correct that that zero balance is what will ultimately get […]
Someone Took Out A Student Loan In My Name. What Should I Do?
When somebody uses your name and/or your social security number to apply for a student loan, there’s a good chance that they forged your signature in order to have the application go through. Many people don’t even find out that a student loan has been taken out in their name until they look at their […]
Should You Get A Mortgage Loan In Your Name Alone If Your Spouse Has Bad Credit?
Q: We own an old house that needs 100k worth of work. Should we get a construction loan or a mortgage loan? My husband has a paid IRS lien on his credit report. I have great credit. Should I get a loan in my name only? Should I title the house in my name only? […]
Five Reasons to Opt Out of Credit Card Offers
No matter how many tantalizing credit offers banks dream up, you can minimize the clutter in your mailbox, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This law permits you to opt out of pre-screened credit offers, thereby greatly reducing the amount of “pre-approved” credit offers that come to your home. It’s worth it to opt […]
Moving Soon? Be Careful Thieves Don’t Steal Your Identity
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 37 million Americans—roughly 13% of us—move to a different home every year. That’s a lot of transition. Unfortunately, moving season also represents a lot of opportunity for crooks and con artists who want to fleece you financially and steal your identity. “Half of all moves take place […]
Soldiers Fall Victim To Fake Gems Scam
It looks like scammers are stepping up their game from slinging fake Rolex’s to pushing fake jewels. If you’ve just returned from your tour of duty with a pocketful of gems that you thought you could sell for a profit in the United States, beware! The Better Business Bureau has learned that military personnel from […]
Bankruptcy Won’t Save You From These Debts
We’ve all seen and heard them: the TV ads and the radio commercial promises touting bankruptcy as a “fresh start” to help you get rid of overwhelming bills. While it’s true that Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out many consumer debts, such as credit card payments and medical bills, it’s also the case that a […]
Financial Advice for College Graduates
If you or your child has just graduated from college, your number one goal may be getting a j-o-b. Of course, that’s a lot easier said than done, with unemployment rate around 9% and even higher–a staggering 16%–for African-Americans. Still, there are many steps recent college graduates can take to put themselves on the road to financial security, including […]
My Student Loan was Discharged in Bankruptcy – How Can I Prove It?
If you have managed to get your student loan discharged through bankruptcy by proving that your loan would cause you “undue hardship”, you will need to gather documents that pertained to your case to prove it. In some cases, the U.S. Department of Education may still be sending you notices about your student loan or […]